I have used many different providers over the years but I have to give it to Verizon for having the worst software on any DVR I have ever used.
I have spoken to Verizon techs, installers, customer service agents and 90% seem to not have a clue how the DVR works completely.
Most importantly I have searched for a place to leave feedback on the DVRs software and no one could tell me. So here I am hoping someone from Verizon reads this.
These DVRs (and i have thier BEST) have horrible software! It's easy to see whoever wrote the software does NOT use the DVR themselves.
First, to delete one program is paintstakingly slow. You must go through a process of 4 steps to delete a single program. If you have more than one program you want to delete, you need to plan your day around it because you could be there for 15 minutes or more. DirecTV has the best DVRs when it comes to this process. You can delete a whole folder of recordings or you can select multiple programs, regardless of what folder they are in, and delete all at once. Verizon, take notes from DirecTV! Your DVRs need this feature.
Next, if you extend the time of your recording, even by as little as a minute, it shows the program in the time slot following as being recorded. If you want to record the show in that next time slot, you cant, The DVR acts as if you already have it set to record. Example: Say you want to record Big Bang Theory at 8pm and you want to add 1 (or 5) minute recording extension. After Big Bang is Bones. Your DVR guide will show both of those shows being recorded even though you didnt set Bones to record. If you want to record Bones, you cant. The DVR will tell you it is already scheduled to record. This needs to be fixed. An extension of one program should not be viewed (by the software) as the recording of the following program.
Aside from that the DVR is just clumsy and slow. So much in fact that I am seriously considering going back to DirecTV just to have a smarter, more user friendly, DVR.
Take Notes Verizon! FIx your DVR.
So a couple of comments:
1) Not sure where you are counting clicks to delete a show.
I count three once you have DVR list up and show selected.
One to pick option, one to select delete and one to confirm.
Not sure how much simpler it could be (never seen DirecTv DVR screen).
And with Fios you can delete an entire folder.
When select folder hit enter.
You can either play all or delete all.
Same 3 clicks.
I do agree their interface could use some improvements (several people ahve asked for sorting options) but I recently saw a Cox cable IMG and it was way worse than Verizon.
Ok yes you can delete a whole folder on the Quantum DVRs but to delete multiple programs from different folders or not within folders it is painstaking. If you haven't ever used any other DVRs then you don't know what you are missing.
Another nice feature on DIrecTVs DVR is that there is a button you can double click rapidly and it will delete the highlighted program instantly.
Saying that verizons needs improvement but others are worse, does not make verizons downfalls justifiable.
There is room for LOTS of improvement however, I fear that any suggestions would fall on deaf ears. Being a computer tech for more than 30 years I see many improvements that these devices could use though I have learned by dealing with most of the agents i have spoke to at Verizon, my opinion has the worth of a plug nickel.
Other than not having the confirmation click, how can it be much simpler?
You must be a politician.
I know you read my entire OP and yet you focus on only one fraction of it and at that you are avoid admitting that these systems are clumsy and tedious. If you do not think they are clumsy and tedious then I can only assume that you have not used many software titles or software driven devices over the last ten years.
But see this is the issue I have with most Verizon agents I have spoken to. They seem to be lacking knowledge so they avoid what they cannot answer.
The best response you could have given was either
A. "Yes our DVR needs some major improvements"
or
B. no response at all.
I've dealt with much worse. e.g. Early Dish DVR's. Tivo's, etc.
I would rate the current VMS very good. Also have a 7232 in my setup at my other home, and rate it as Good to very good.
Listen folks, just because you h ave dealt with much worse does NOT make these DVRs the best thing since sliced bread. They need improveent and someone from Verizon should be taking note.
Instead I have been told that because other DVRs are worse that makes Verizons ok. Thats a load of malarky.
"well heck, I graduated from high school and I have seen others who have flunked out. So why try and improve myself and go to college"
There are shortcomings on these DVRs.
Extending a program by 1 minute or 5 minutes should not make teh DVR be fooled into thinking its recording the show the that follows. A user should still be able to go to that follow show and record it without being told it's already being recorded.
You should not have to select and make 3 clicks per program to delete it from y our DVR. You should be able to select multiple recordings and delete them all at once, even if they are not in the same folder.
You should be able to add shows to your favorites list from the guide. I have called and asked agents if this is possible and have been told either no or "I dont know". I have not found a way to do this yet. If its not posible, it should be.
Also it would be nice that since you can organize your favorites on the site that you can too save your favorites preferreces so when you do get a new DVR your favorites preferrences can be imported. I have been with Verizon not even a year (only 6 months now) and I am on my THIRD DVR at no fault of my own.
Hey my first PC I owned was a 286 with 4mb ram. My next was a 386 then a 486. My 486 was better than my 286 but I didnt say "well the 286 was worse so lets stick with the 486" If that was my thoughts id never have built the i7-920 24gig 12 terabyte beast I run today. The existence of worse should never result with the acceptance of poor.
Neither one of said it was the best (I explicitly said it could use some improvements).
But I beleive it is not the worst DVR software there is as you stated.
We all have certain features that we wish were better.
And what I want fixed. may not be what you want fixed as a priority.
I know the older model DVRs (7XXX series) had the ability to export settings so they could be imported to a replacement.
I don't know if that included the favorites for the guide.
Sorry to hear that you have had a lot of problems with DVRs.
What model do you currently have?
If the dvr issues are really making you that disgruntled then why stay with Verizon? I never understand people who say this sucks, that sucks, they should do this and do that, this other company is better, etc.. yet they stay with the company. If I wasn't happy with something with Fios or how they are handling things I'd be taking my business elsewhere even if I was saving a few $. Get the service you are happy with.
I agree with the op. The dvr software is just ok. I just upgraded to Quantum Premium and am surprised to see that the software is a work in progress, features that I had on the old STB are in the "will be added in a future release" categeory. Sometimes I feel that I pay way to much money for this sort of thing but overall I really like the Quantum service so I guess I'll just have to live with the shortcomings.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
